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Item The State, Civil Society and Democracy in Uganda(American Research Journal of Humanities & Social Science (ARJHSS), 2019) Kansiime, Noel KiizaDespite increased importance and value, the civil society in the developing world has lagged behind their counterparts in the developed world in terms of performing expected functions and providing checks and balances to the central governments. In Uganda, the basic descriptive information about civil society, its size, area of activity, domestic sources of monetary and material support, and the policy framework in which it operates seem not to be available in an organized way. Civil society (CSOs) structures seem to be superficial and are shadows of the ideal concept of civil society because some of the actors have been compromised, deterred by state while others side with government when they are supposed to provide checks and balances or to promote African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance (ACDEG). Therefore, this article seeks to examine the evolution and role of civil society in Uganda; how the state relates with civil society; factors that influence State-CSOs relationship in the area of advocacy and democracy and whether the theoretical concept of civil society is applicable in Uganda.Item Principles of Research Ethics: A Research Primer for Low- and Middle-Income Countries(African Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2020-10-23) Bittera, Cindy C.; Ngabirano, Annet Alenyo; Simon, Erin L.; Taylor, David McD.Ethical oversight in the form of review boards and research ethics committees provide protection for research subjects as well as guidance for safe conduct of studies. As the number of collaborative emergency care research studies carried out in low- and middle-income countries increases, it is crucial to have a shared understanding of how ethics should inform choice of study topic, study design, methods of obtaining consent, data management, and access to treatment after closure of the study. This paper describes the basic principles of Western research ethics – respect for persons, beneficence, and justice - and how the principles may be contextualized in different settings, by researchers of various backgrounds with different funding streams. Examples of lapses in ethical practice of research are used to highlight best practices.Item Building Text and Speech Benchmark Datasets and Models for Low-Resourced East African Languages: Experiences and Lessons(Applied AI Letters,, 2025-03-26) Nakatumba-Nabende, Joyce; Nabende, Peter; Mukiibi, Jonathan; Mutebi, Chodrine; Katumba, AndrewAfrica has over 2000 languages; however, those languages are not well represented in the existing natural language processing ecosystem. African languages lack essential digital resources to effectively engage in advancing language technologies. There is a need to generate high-quality natural language processing resources for low-resourced African languages. Obtaining high-quality speech and text data is expensive and tedious because it can involve manual sourcing and verification of data sources. This paper discusses the process taken to curate and annotate text and speech datasets for five East African languages: Luganda, Runyankore-Rukiga, Acholi, Lumasaba, and Swahili. We also present results obtained from baseline models for machine translation, topic modeling and classification, sentiment classification, and automatic speech recognition tasks. Finally, we discuss the experiences, challenges, and lessons learned in creating the text and speech datasets.Item IrokoBench: A New Benchmark for African Languages in the Age of Large Language Models(arXiv preprint arXiv, 2024-06-05) Adelani, David Ifeoluwa; Zhuang, Jian Yun; Ochieng, Millicent; Mukiibi, Jonathan; Kabongo, Salomon; Stenetorp, PontusDespite the widespread adoption of Large language models (LLMs), their remarkable capabilities remain limited to a few high-resource languages. Additionally, many low-resource languages (\eg African languages) are often evaluated only on basic text classification tasks due to the lack of appropriate or comprehensive benchmarks outside of high-resource languages. In this paper, we introduce IrokoBench -- a human-translated benchmark dataset for 17 typologically-diverse low-resource African languages covering three tasks: natural language inference~(AfriXNLI), mathematical reasoning~(AfriMGSM), and multi-choice knowledge-based question answering~(AfriMMLU). We use IrokoBench to evaluate zero-shot, few-shot, and translate-test settings~(where test sets are translated into English) across 10 open and six proprietary LLMs. Our evaluation reveals a significant performance gap between high-resource languages~(such as English and French) and low-resource African languages. We observe a significant performance gap between open and proprietary models, with the highest performing open model, Gemma 2 27B only at 63\% of the best-performing proprietary model GPT-4o performance. In addition, machine translating the test set to English before evaluation helped to close the gap for larger models that are English-centric, such as Gemma 2 27B and LLaMa 3.1 70B. These findings suggest that more efforts are needed to develop and adapt LLMs for African languages.Item MasakhaPOS: Part-of-Speech Tagging for Typologically Diverse African Languages(arXiv preprint arXiv, 2023-05-23) Dione, Cheikh M. Bamba; Nabende, Peter; Mukiibi, Jonathan; Chinedu Uchechukwu; Uchechukwu, Chinedu; Abdullahi, Muhammad; Klakow, DietrichIn this paper, we present MasakhaPOS, the largest part-of-speech (POS) dataset for 20 typologically diverse African languages. We discuss the challenges in annotating POS for these languages using the UD (universal dependencies) guidelines. We conducted extensive POS baseline experiments using conditional random field and several multilingual pretrained language models. We applied various cross-lingual transfer models trained with data available in UD. Evaluating on the Masakha- POS dataset, we show that choosing the best transfer language(s) in both single-source and multi-source setups greatly improves the POS tagging performance of the target languages, in particular when combined with cross-lingual parameter-efficient fine-tuning methods. Crucially, transferring knowledge from a language that matches the language family and morphosyntactic properties seems more effective for POS tagging in unseen languages.Item Machine Translation For African Languages: Community Creation Of Datasets And Models In Uganda(ICLR, 2022-03-30) Akera, Benjamin; Mukiibi, Jonathan; Naggayi, Lydia Sanyu; Nsumba, Solomon; Mwebaze, Ernest; Quinn, JohnReliable machine translation systems are only available for a small proportion of the world’s languages, the key limitation being a shortage of training and evaluation data. We provide a case study in the creation of such resources by NLP teams who are local to the communities in which these languages are spoken. A parallel text corpus, SALT, was created for five Ugandan languages (Luganda, Runyankole, Acholi, Lugbara and Ateso) and various methods were explored to train and evaluate translation models. The resulting models were found to be effective for practical translation applications, even for those languages with no previous NLP data available, achieving mean BLEU score of 26.2 for translations to English, and 19.9 from English. The SALT dataset and models described are publicly available at https://github.com/SunbirdAI/salt.Item Building Strong Academic Libraries and Library Professionals in Uganda Through the University of Pretoria Carnegie CPD Programme(Inclusive Libraries and Information Services, 2021-05-24) Juma, Gorrety Maria; Nakaziba, Sarah; Holmner, MalerneAcademic libraries are encountering numerous changes due to the emerging information communication technologies trends and the ever-changing information-seeking behaviour of their users. For the librarians to effectively implement these trends and remain competitive, they need to be regularly engaged in continuing professional development (CPD) activities. The study aimed to find out the factors that influenced the motivation to participate in the University of Pretoria (UP) Carnegie CPD programme and the potential impact on service delivery of the selected academic libraries in Uganda as represented in the programme. The study applied a qualitative research design with an interpretive research approach. Exponential non-discriminative snowball sampling was used to recruit participants. The sample size of the study included eight Academic Librarians who attended the UP Carnegie CPD programme between 2014 and 2018. Data was collected using face to face semi-structured interviews and electronically using ZOOM (online platform). The findings of this study show that most UP Carnegie CPD participants mainly attended the programme due to its rich content; the hands-on subject coverage and new ICT trends, and the need to build their professional networks. The study also revealed the following challenges that were encountered by the participants during the implementations of the various initiatives drawn from the CPD knowledge and skills: difficulty in managing social media platform, lack of IR back-end support, limited data analysis skills required in providing research support, library users’ lack of interest in IL training, limited collaboration between Faculty and Librarians, and technophobia from some library staff who frustrate implementation efforts. The study provides recommendations on how to address these challengesItem The Influence of Leadership Competencies on Sustainable Funding of Local Non-Governmental Organizations in Uganda(Journal of Public Administration and Governance, 2017-09-08) Kyalimpa, Paul; Asiimwe, John Baptist; Netswera, Fulufhelo Godfrey; Rankhumise, Edward MalatseWhen a leader with a vision launches a Local Non-Governmental Organization (LNGO or NGO), the NGO’s motivation and decision-making often become intertwined with the leader’s personality and character to the effect that it may collapse when the NGO leader departs. Uganda has a higher percentage of NGOs inactivity and mortality due to unsustainable funding. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of NGO leadership competencies on sustainable funding of NGOs. This study utilized a descriptive correlation design. A proportionate stratified sample of 103 NGOs was obtained and their leaders were interviewed using self-administered questionnaires. Records reviews were conducted to obtain data on NGO funding. This study found a 90.1% to 100% agreement by participants on possession of the various leadership competencies by the NGO leaders. A marked rise in incomes from all sources was recorded between 2010 and 2014, with external donors, local donors, and own income accounting for 67%, 13.5%, and 19.5% of the total funds, respectively. The average donor-dependency ratio and survival ratio over the 5 year period was 80.54% and 71.216 days respectively. The NGO leader/CEO understanding and working with whatever resources that are available (β=-9.802, P=.002) and spearheading the implementation of major investment decisions (β=15.720, P=.004) were the only competencies found to be statistically significant predictors of NGO financial sustainability. Recommendations. Government funding of NGOs, prioritization of Income Generating Activities and capacity building of NGO leaders in effective and efficient resource utilization and investment by NGOs, are key to NGO Survival.Item A Model for Enhancing Digital Transformation through Technology‑related Continuing Professional Development Activities in Academic Libraries in Context(Discover Education, 2024-07-02) Nakaziba, Sarah; Ngulube, PatrickThis paper is based on the findings of a doctoral study that aimed to examine the role of continuing professional development (CPD) in enhancing digital transformation in selected university libraries in Uganda. One of the ways of effecting digital transformation is to continuously build the technological competencies of the librarians working in academic institutions through attending technology-related CPD. The study adopted a mixed methods approach with a convergent parallel design for collecting qualitative and quantitative data from six universities in Uganda. Quantitative data were collected from 76 librarians with a minimum degree-level qualification from the six selected universities. Qualitative data were obtained from six University Librarians working in these universities. The study findings indicated several challenges hindering librarians from participating in technology-related CPDs such as lack of management support, lack of personal interest, limited funding, and lack of opportunities, among others. The implementation of digital transformation within university libraries in Uganda was also reported to be beset by a lack of competent staff, limited management support, lack of funds, and technological gaps. Therefore, this paper presents a proposed model to address challenges hindering the digital transformation and the participation in technology-related continuing professional development activities within academic libraries. The proposed model is based on the study findings, and it draws from Watkin and Marsick’s learning organisation model, andragogy theory, the technology-organisation-environment framework, and extant literature. The model will guide academic libraries in the implementation of a conducive environment to necessitate staff development and implementation of digital transformation.Item Credit and Sustainability of SMEs in Uganda: A Case of SMEs in Nakawa Division Kampala(Journal of Economics, Finance and Accounting Studies, 2022-12-03) Muhire, Francis; Olyanga, AnthonyThe study was carried out to establish the relationship between Credit terms, Credit accessibility, and Sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises in Uganda. The objectives guided the study to examine: the sustainability of SMEs, the level of credit accessibility by SMEs, the credit terms by financial institutions, and the combined impact of credit terms and credit accessibility on the sustainability of SMEs in the Nakawa Division. The study was based on a cross-sectional research design and quantitative research approach of 743 registered SMEs in the Nakawa Division and a sample of 248 SMEs. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. Data from the field was compiled, sorted, and edited for analysis using SPSS. The results indicated significant positive relationships between credit terms and sustainability, credit accessibility and sustainability, and credit terms and credit accessibility of SMEs within the Nakawa Division. Based on the findings, the study recommended that financial Institutions need to relax credit terms which will increase credit accessibility which also automatically lead to sustainability; SMEs should ensure mechanisms that can boost their credit accessibility, and the government should put in place policies that ensure easy access to credit by SMEs and should further increase funding and come up with more entrepreneurship oriented programs such as capital ventures which well maximized guarantee sustainability of SMEs.Item External challenges of development studies programmes in contributing to the development of Uganda.(Ideal Journal of Education and Policy Studies, 2015-08-23) Lubaale, GraceThis study which ventures into the Challenges of Development Studies Programmes (DSP) in Contributing to the Development of Uganda attempted to unravel and establish the specific challenges of Development Studies Programmes offered at Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) and Makerere University Kampala (MUK). Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed so as to provide the necessary triangulation for getting a more composite data to articulate better the findings. Further, a descriptive research design specifically a case study was adopted in order to secure in-depth data regarding challenges of DSP offered at UMU and MUK in contributing to the development of Uganda. The study used a sample size of 260 respondents using research instruments of a semi-structured questionnaire, interview guide, and check list. The study established challenges as; Unemployment, corruption, poverty, working environments, professional body, gender and young age of graduates and finally government policies. To overcome the aforementioned challenges, the study recommends quality teaching, think tank, policy formulation and forming a professional body. It is hoped that if implemented, DSP will be able to contribute a great deal to the development process of Uganda.Item Gender Imbalances among Students in Kyambogo University of Uganda and Development Implications(Online Submission, 2020-01-28) Lubaale, GraceKyambogo University (KyU) is one of the nine government universities in Uganda experiencing gender inequalities with glaring development implications in the country with 34.6 million people (UBOS, 2016) in which women are the majority. The central aim of the paper is to establish the gender imbalances in Kyambogo University and development implications with a specific focus on policies, facilities, and services for students and then provide the way forward. This study used a mixed-methods approach that combined desk reviews and interviews (Creswell et al., 2017). The findings indicate that nature is reflected in the admissions, completion, science and engineering programmes and student leadership while the development implications are colossal in terms of imbalances in Kyambogo University dropouts, Student Leadership, Higher Degree Achievements, returns to education, and lose of Self-Esteem. In conclusion, it is now clear that gender imbalances in KyU is a reality and this paper recommends promoting gender equality by all stakeholders majorly through the KyU Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, and through the establishment and operationalization of KyU Gender Policy, Anti-Gender Violence Policy, Gender Responsive Budgeting, STEM Programme, and Gender Monitoring and Evaluation.Item Domestic Violence and Development Implications in Budaka District(EUREKA: Social and Humanities, 2022-09-30) Lubaale, GraceBudaka is one of the 146 districts in Uganda experiencing domestic violence (DV) with 5016 cases, recorded in 2020. This was a significant number with obvious development repercussions despite relevant regulations, prohibiting the vice. The purpose of this study is to determine the nature and causes of domestic violence in Budaka district, development implications, and then suggest a course of action. A mixed-methods approach that included desk review and interviews to obtain quantitative and qualitative data, respectively was used. Domestic violence affects people of all ages, education levels, income levels, social standing, and religions, and manifests itself in form of physical, economic, sexual, political, religious, cultural and psychological. Poverty, culture, ethical and moral failure, biological vulnerability of women, and difficulties in obtaining evidence are the causes of domestic violence with far-reaching economic, political, and social development implications in Budaka district. In conclusion, domestic violence exists in Budaka district as a social construct with enormous developmental ramifications. The study recommends deconstruction through adopting Uganda's National Gender Policy of 2007, gender mainstreaming in the district, enacting by-laws, gender monitoring and evaluation, and strengthening Mifuni NGO in the fight against domestic violenceItem Gender Imbalance in Science Disciplines at Kyambogo University of Uganda and Development Implications(Journal of Science and Sustainable Development, 2022-03-18) Lubaale, GraceKyambogo University (KyU) is one of Uganda’s nine public universities. Like any other University, KyU is experiencing gender imbalance in science disciplines. This comes with glaring development implications in a country of 34.6 million people, women being the majority. This paper presents results from the study that focused on the nature of gender imbalance in science disciplines at KyU; its causes, development implications, and possible remedies. The study followed a mixed methods approach that combined desk review and in-depth interviews. Documents reviewed produced quantitative data using the checklist while in-depth interviews generated qualitative data that was collected through face-to-face interaction with 42 respondents. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed through content analysis. Findings indicate that the nature of gender imbalance in science disciplines is reflected in the admissions and completion; while causes are patriarchy, gender stereotypes, and limited mentorship. The development implications on women and society are in terms of low enrolments, self-esteem, academic staff recruitment, and education returns. The study concludes that gender imbalance in science disciplines at KyU is a reality, socially constructed, and can be deconstructed. In order to enhance gender balance in science disciplines, this study recommends creating science awareness in primary and secondary schools, providing scholarships for females to offer sciences at university, affirmative action through STEM Programme, empower the people at KyU to explore the Gender policy and strengthening the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate while ensuring appropriate gender monitoring and evaluation processes.Item Gender imbalances in science disciplines among students in Kyambogo University of Uganda and education implications(Lwati: A Journal of Contemporary Research,, 2021-10-04)Kyambogo University (KyU) is one of the nine government universities in Uganda experiencing gender inequalities in science disciplines with glaring education implications in country with 34.6 million people in which women are the majority. The central aim of the paper is to establish the science gender imbalances in KyU and education implications with a specific focus on policies and practices for students and then provide the way forward. This study used a mixed methods approach that combined desk review and interviews. The findings indicate that the nature is reflected in the Admissions, and Completion, and the causes are patriarchy, gender stereotypes and roles and mentoring while the education implications are colossal in terms of low enrolments, self-esteem, academic staff recruitment and education returns as well as low Higher Degree Achievements. The study concludes that science gender imbalances in KyU is a reality, socially constructed and can be deconstructed. Therefore this paper recommends creating science awareness in schools, providing scholarships for females, affirmative action through STEM Programme, strengthen the KyU Gender policy and Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, and Gender Monitoring & Evaluation which will lead to gender equality in sciences disciplines.Item Domestic Violence and Development Implications in Budaka District(EUREKA: Social and Humanities, 2022-09-30) Lubaale, GraceBudaka is one of the 146 districts in Uganda experiencing domestic violence (DV) with 5016 cases, recorded in 2020. This was a significant number with obvious development repercussions despite relevant regulations, prohibiting the vice. The purpose of this study is to determine the nature and causes of domestic violence in Budaka district, development implications, and then suggest a course of action. A mixed-methods approach that included desk review and interviews to obtain quantitative and qualitative data, respectively was used. Domestic violence affects people of all ages, education levels, income levels, social standing, and religions, and manifests itself in form of physical, economic, sexual, political, religious, cultural and psychological. Poverty, culture, ethical and moral failure, biological vulnerability of women, and difficulties in obtaining evidence are the causes of domestic violence with far-reaching economic, political, and social development implications in Budaka district. In conclusion, domestic violence exists in Budaka district as a social construct with enormous developmental ramifications. The study recommends deconstruction through adopting Uganda's National Gender Policy of 2007, gender mainstreaming in the district, enacting by-laws, gender monitoring and evaluation, and strengthening Mifuni NGO in the fight against domestic violenceItem The Relationship Between Young Children’s Influence and violence against children in Selected Bugiri Primary Schools in Uganda(East African Journal of Education Studies, 2024-04-19) Achan, Jackline Bwire; Maani, John Samson; Lubaale, GraceThis study investigated the relationship between children's influence and violence against children in selected Bugiri schools based on the fact that Bugiri district had reported high rates of violence against children. The study was guided by the following three research objectives: To establish the level of children’s influence in the chosen schools, determining the level of violence against children at the chosen schools, and lastly to determine the relationship between the two factors (children’s influence and violence against children) at the chosen schools. The study used a sequential explanatory mixed method design and was carried out at two government-aided primary schools in the Bugiri district of Uganda. Two hundred thirty-six (236) young children in primary three comprised the sample, out of the 365 children in the accessible population. The data were analysed using regression analysis and Pearson's correlation coefficient index. The results indicated a statistically significant, correlation between children influence and violence against children in schools (self-esteem, role model attachment and decision-making capacity). The study recommends that children should be used to influence violence decisions and planning at school. Programs at school meant to lessen violence have to include children in choosing violence reduction strategies and implementing violence-reduction activities in schoolsItem Influence of School Environment on Physics Teacher Effectiveness in Kigezi Sub-Region, Uganda(East African Journal of Education Studies, 2024-01-12) Tukamuhabwa, Evaristo; Kishabale,Bashir; Lubaale, GraceThis study investigated the influence of school environment on physics teacher effectiveness in secondary schools in Kigezi Sub-region, Uganda. The focus of the study was to establish the influence of administrative support on physics teacher effectiveness; to establish the influence of collegiality of teachers on physics teacher effectiveness and to find out the influence of professional development like workshops, seminars on physics teacher effectiveness. This study employed both quantitative and qualitative techniques to collect and sequentially analyse the data. The study adopted a mixed research design on a sample of 234 physics teachers, fourteen (14) head teachers and six (06) education officials. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, interview guide, focus group discussions and classroom environment checklist. Quantitative data was analysed through the statistical software programs SPSS and SPSS AMOS while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis and verbatim quotations. Descriptive analysis showed that the school environment highly influences physics teacher effectiveness in all aspects. The results of structural equation model (SEM) showed that the school environment influences teacher effectiveness. The findings showed that the school environment as conceptualised as administrative support, collegiality and professional development had a strong positive influence on teacher effectiveness. It was concluded that teachers should create appropriate environment to present new thoughts by creating standards of administrative support, exercise companionship and cooperation between colleagues. Finally, develop professionally and remain relevant with current skills by participating in activities like educational seminars, workshops, and conferencesItem Benefits of ICT in Education: Teaching-Learning Process(African Journal of Education, Science and Technology, 2021-08-01) Lubaale, GraceThe use of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in education and training is increasingly becoming a priority in African countries including Uganda. The paper aims at examining the benefits of ICT in education with a specific focus on teaching-learning process. The presenter used both qualitative and quantitative approaches of identifying the uses, application, relevance and impact of ICT in the teaching-learning process with specific cases in Uganda. The paper identifies and explains benefits of ICT in general and in the teaching –learning process in particular like to the learners in terms of general, motivational, independent learning and team work as well as teachers in planning and preparation. The paper identifies the barriers of ICT use as at five levels; political economy, technology, teachers, school and education system. The paper concludes that ICT is important in the teaching-learning process because it greatly enhances comprehension of the language and subject matter of learners as well as easing the work of teachers. It recommends government, education systems, learning institutions and individuals to embrace ICT holistically.Item SESEMAT Pedagogical Approaches and Physics Teacher Effectiveness in Kigezi Sub-Region, Uganda(Journal of Research in Education and Technology, 2024-01-27) Tukamuhabwa,Evaristo; Kishabale, Bashir; Lubaale, GraceEffective physics teachers in secondary schools in Kigezi Sub-Region are a focus to improve the scientific skills, competences and students’ academic knowledge to the required content. There are however, increasing concerns among stake holders about teacher ineffectiveness which has caused dismal performance of students in science subjects particularly physics. The study investigated the influence of Secondary Science and Mathematics Teachers (SESEMAT) pedagogical approaches on physics teacher effectiveness in secondary schools in Kigezi Sub Region, Uganda. Guided by Cognitive Constructivist theory, the study adopts a perspective that views learning as an active process, where contexts of learners are fully considered and learners being motivated and then collaborative learning takes place. Out of a population of 620, a sample of 234 Physics teachers was drawn from secondary schools of Kigezi Sub- Region. Data collection tool comprised of a questionnaire. Collected data was analysed descriptively using statistical software programs SPSS and SPSS AMOS. The findings showed that physics teacher effectiveness is highly influenced by SESEMAT pedagogical approaches in all aspects. The analysis results of structural equation model (SEM)/path analysis showed that SESEMAT pedagogical approaches influenced teacher effectiveness. Hence the causal relationship between SESEMAT pedagogical approaches and teacher effectiveness was positive and significant. The tested hypotheses state that there is a significant influence of SESEMAT pedagogical approaches on physics teacher effectiveness. It was concluded that SESEMAT Pedagogical approaches (active learning, motivation of students, contextual learning, and collaborative learning) are important to physics teacher effectiveness. Therefore, it was recommended that Physics teachers in Kigezi Sub-Region should apply SESEMAT pedagogical approaches while teaching in a good environment for better performance of learners and skills acquisition.